Former Port Vale defender John King passes away
John King passes away: former wing-half who played over 100 times for Port Vale has sadly passed away at the age of 77.
It was announced that he had died peacefully, surrounded by his family.
He was also the captain and made 41 appearances as the Valiants were promoted out of the Fourth Division…
After over 200 appearances for Tranmere, John King signed with Port Vale in June 1968 alongside Bobby Gough and Graeme Williams.
He was also the captain and made 41 appearances as the Valiants were promoted out of the Fourth Division in 1969–70,
He was released at the end of the 1970-71 season and subsequently joined non-league Wigan Athletic in May 1971. In total he made 101 appearances for Port Vale.
After his playing career ended, King managed Tranmere Rovers for two spells winning three promotions and the Football League Trophy. The former Borough Road stand at Prenton Park, was renamed the Johnny King Stand in 2002 and a bronze statue of King was unveiled in 2014.
The Tranmere Rovers Supporters Club said that “Johnny King is the club’s greatest ever manager and is rightly revered by every Tranmere supporter. A loyal servant as both player and manager, the unparalleled success and style of football played by his teams as we rose from near oblivion to the verge of the Premier League will always be fondly remembered at Prenton Park.”
John King passes away. RIP, Forever Valiant